Electrical drive for cream separators



' C. A. ROBERTSON ELECTRICAL DRIVE FOR CREAM SEPARATORS Filed Nov. 14,1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 g l in 1 f' I g5 'f J0 7Z/(/67% 07 C/arlzaF067507Z5 Aug. 31, 1926. 1,598,393

, C. A. ROBERTSON ELECTRICAL DRIVE FOR CREAM SEPARATORS Filed Nov. 14.1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Aug. 31, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT- OFFICE.

k CHARLES A. ROBERTSON, OF SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MONTGOMERYWARD & 00., IN 0., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

ELECTRICAL DRIVE FOR CREAM SEPARATOBS.

Application filed November 14, 1921. Serial No. 515,172.

This invention relates to cream separators of the centrifugal type andpertains particularly to improvements in the construction of theactuating mechanism of such machines.

The general purpose of the invention is the provision of an improvedconstruction of centrifugal cream separators in which electricallyoperated driving mechanism is incorporated.

More particular objects of the invention are the provision of such amachine which w1ll be certain and uniform in operation, substantiallyproof against disablement by inexpert use, compact in construction andeconomical in cost.

Other and further objects of the invention will be pointed outhereinafter, indicated in the appended claims or obvious upon anunderstanding of the invention fromthe present disclosure.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification I haveillustrated one embodiment in which the invention may be incorporated,but it is to be understood that the same is presented here merely forthe purpose of illustration, as I am aware that the invention may beembodied in various other structural forms differing in par ticularsfrom that herein shown and now to be described.

In the drawings v i Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section taken on a diameterof-the pedestal of a centrifugal cream. separator Fig. 2 is a similarlongitudinal section takendon a diameter at right angles to Fig. 1; an

Fig. 3 is a detail of the brush mounting.

Cream separators of the centrifugal type are characterized by theemployment of a series of separating disks arranged to be driven ath1gh'speed-so-jas to develop centnfugal 'foree ,-sa1d disks 'beingarranged to provide shallowintervenin passageways through which theliquid to e separated 1s fQdl "-I1 r' order to; insure proper operationofsl'lehdevice, it is' essential thatthese disks and their confiningbowl be operated eonstantly-at a uniform high speed, that they bemaintained 'in balance and held against 'wobhling or vibration. It isimportant moreover that proper provision be made for lubrication of thebearings on which the operating parts are supported. The presentinvention provides a construction for fulfillmg these requirements whichis economical in cost. In its general character, the inventioncontemplates the mounting of .an electric. .motor within the supportingpedestal of the machine, which latter is constructed and arranged toprovide the requisite support for the motor and a housing therefor whichwill afford the proper protection and contribute toits properventilation. In conjunction with the motor the pedestal afiords thenecessary support for the driving spindle upon which the separator bowlis mounted, to the effect that the structure constitutes aself-contained unit of actuating, transmission and supporting means uponwhich the requisite liquid handling parts may be assembled anddis-assembled incident to the proper contemplated use of the apparatus.The particular nature of the invention will be understood by referenceto the accompanying drawings in detail. From these it will be seen thatthe apparatus includes a frame in the nature of a pedestal of compositeconstruction comprislng a. lower section, an intermediate section and anupper section. The lower section includes a base portion 1 adapted toafl'ord a. support of substantial effective area, which carries anintegral cylindrical barrel portion 2, both of said portions beinghollow but separated by an intervening partition which is cored toprovide a lubricatin chamber 5. The partition supports an axi boss 6having a central bore in which a bearing 7 is housed. The intermediatesection 8 is of cylindrical or frusto-conical form and has its lowermargin shaped to register with the upper margin of the barrel portion 2,upon which it is supported,. the meeting marginal portions preferablybeing shaped to provide a lap oint as illustrated. Intermediate itsextremities the section 8 supports a partition member 9 having a concaveupper surface and an axial bore in which a bearing 10 is housed. Theupper extremity of the section 8 is formed .with an end wall portion 11from which extends a collar portion 12 of reduced diameter disposed.coaxially with the members 8 and 2. Upon the upper extremity of theintermediate sectiolf 8 is supported the bowl chamber 14, which is abowl shaped member ha I. central bottom aperture adapted to receive thecollar 12 to permit the chamber to rest upon the end wall 11. The-bowlchamber is of proper dimensions to receive the separator bowl, affordinga partial housing for the same, while the upper rim of the bowl chamberis formed for the retention of the customary removable covers, feedfunnel, etc. A spindle bearing 15 is mounted in the collar portion 12,said bearing having an annular flange adapted to seat on the upper edgeof said collar. Upon the base partition portion 4 is mounted a housingmember 16 affording an interior axial threaded sleeve 17, a centralimpeller chamber above the same, and a lateral duct 18 communieatingwith said chamber. is mounted a thrust bearin including the bearing seat19 and the ball 20 supported therein. The lower end of the member 19 iscovered by a cap 21. An armature shaft 22 is journalled in the bearings7 and 10, and includes a lower square extension 22 extending below thebearing 7 and resting upon the ball 20. The squared extension carries animpeller 24 which is housed in the impeller chamber and constructed tooperate therein after the fashion of a rotary pump. Between the bearings7 and lO'the armature shaft carries the motor armature 25 and thecommutator 26 disposed above the armature, while a ventilating fan 27 iscarried on the shaft 22 below the armature. Field pole pieces 29carrying the field windings 28 of the motor are suitably supported onthe barrel portion 2 in proper association about the armature 25. Uponthe partition 9 is supported a frame member 30 having an internal cavity31 constituting a basin, with a raised central boss 32 which isapertured for the passage of the armature shaft. The frame member isformed with a lateral port 34 constituting an outlet for the basin,whilethe upper marginal portion of the frame is formed with a flaringannular flange 35. An upwardly convex shield 33 is mounted on thearmature shaft within the cavity 31 in such relationship as to extendbeyond the lateral limits of the boss 32. Upon the lower portion of theframe member 30 is mounted a brush ring 36 of insulating material, whichbrush ring carries the brushes 37 for cooperation with the commutator 26of the motor. The lead wires 38 are passed into the pedestal through abushing 39, and have proper electrical connection with the field coilsand brushes of the motor. A series of apertures 40 are formed in thelower. portion of the barrel member 2 below the fan 27, while theintermediate ,section 8 is provided with a series of apertures 41 aboutthe frame 30. I

The upper extremity of the armature shaft extends above thepartitionmember 9 and supports the bowl spindle 43, there being a. flexiblecoupling of any conventional type In the sleeve 17 between the armatureshaft and the spindle to accommodate any slight lateral movement of thearmature shaft in the event of disaligmnent of the shaft and thespindle. The upper extremity of the spindle is formed to support andoperably engage the separator bowl. The lubricating chamber 5 is closedoff from the interior of the barrel portion 2 by a cover plate 44 buthas communication with the impeller chamber through a channel 45. An oilpipe 46 leads from the port 18 up alongsidejhe pedestal, through anopening 14 in the bowl chamber and into an oil ring 47 which issupported on top of the spindle bearing 15. An oil return pipe 48 leadsfrom the outlet 34 back into the oil chamber 5 through an opening 49.The bowl chamber 14, intermediate section 8 and bottom section are heldin assembled relationship by means of stay bolts 50 seated in the formerand in the latter, and a casing 51 of sheet metal is shaped to enclosethe pedestal, having retentive engagement with the base portion 1 andthe bowl chamber 14. The motor brushes, as illustrated. in Fig. 3 maycomprise a box 52 in which the brush 54 is slidably mounted so that itmay be urged into contact with the commutator ring by means of a spring55 which is mounted on a post 56.

In assembling the device, the pole pieces and coils are mounted in thebarrel 2, the

armature shaft and its carried parts are then put in place with theshaft seated in the bearing 7', the impeller 24 placed on the squaredextension 22 and the bottom housing 16 with its bearing are thenpositioned to afford the proper support for the armature shaft. Theintermediate section 8 is then mounted on the lower section, thearmature shaft being properly arranged in the upper bearing 10. Thespindle bearing 15 with the spindle is then inserted in the collar 12,and the bowl chamber 14 placed in position and the assembly secured bythe stay bolts 50. Finally the pipes 46 and 48 are connected in theirmountings by suitable couplings.

In operation, the motor'being energized, the resulting movement of thearmature drives the armature shaft and its connected parts, imparting tothe separator bowl a high speed rotary movement, throu h theinstrumentality of the spindle 43. T e fan 27 draws air through theinlet openings 40 and propels it through the motor to where it findsoutlet through the openings 41. The impeller 24, being rotated by thearmature shaft, drives through the ort 18 the oil received in itschamber t rough the channel 45, a sufficient quantity of 011 findingaccess to the seat of the bearing 20 to keep the latter submerged. Theoil driven by the impeller is raised to the ring 47 where it isdischarged about the spindle 43,

whence it finds egress through the bearing 15 alongside the spindle andis caught on the upper surface of the partition 9 and fed toward thebearing 10. It finds egress through said bearin alongside the armatureshaft and is d ischarged against the shield 33, which prevents itspassing through the axial opening of the boss 32. The oil is cau ht bythe basin 31 and conducted through the outlet 34 and pipe 48 back intothe lubricating chamber 5. In this fashion a continuous circulation oflubricant on all bearings is maintained.

A machine constructed in this fashion is compact and hasall ,workingparts fully housed and protected so that it is entirely safe for use inthe hands of inexpert persons. At the same time the construction is suchas to insure proper and efficient operation without requiring carefulinspection. The operating parts are supported in such fashion as tominimize friction incident to operation and to avoid vibration andlateral movement of the separator bowl. N o (litln'l is made herein forthe lubrication system disclosed, the latter constituting the subjectmatter of an application filed of even date herewith, Serial No.515,173.

I claim g 1. In a centrifugal separator the combination of a hollowpedestal member affording a support at one end and a partitionintermediate its ends, aligned bearings supported within said pedestal,one of said hearings being mounted in said artition, a bowl spindlejournalled in a bearing above said partition, a motor shaft journalledon bearings below said partition and having operative connection withsaid spindle, motor elements housed in said pedestal below saidpartition, means for applying lubricant to bearing above said motorelement and means above said motor elements disposed to catch thelubricant and preventaccess thereof to the motor elements.

2. In a centrifugal separator the combination of a hollow pedestalmember arranged to be supported at one end, aligned bearings supportedWithin said pedestal, a inotor shaft journalled in certain of saidbearings, motor elements supported on said shaft and the wall of saidpedestal between said bearings, a lubricant receiving basin associatedwith said shaft below its upper bearing and above said motor elements,and 5 a bowl spindle having operative connection with said shaft abovesaid bearing.

3. In a centrifugal separator, in combination, a pedestal member havinga supporting base portion and a hollow shaft por-. tion, a partition inthe shaft portion dividing it into upper'and lower compartments, abearing on said partition, an armature shaft journalled in said bearingand extending into both of said compartments, an armature mounted onsaid shaft in the lower compartment,- pole pieces mounted on the Wall ofthe pedestal in the lower compartment in operative association with thearmature, a bowl spindle flexibly journaled on the pedestal with itslower end disposed in the upper compartment, said spindle havingoperative connection with the. armature shaft, and a bearing on the baseportion of the pedestal in alignment with the first mentioned bearing,said bearing cooperating with the armature shaft to'maintain alignmentof the armature with respect to the pole pieces.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name.

CHARLES A. ROBERTSON.

